Frequently Asked Questions

What is High Peak Homeless Help?

High Peak Homeless Help (HPHH) is a registered charity (No. 1105442) which provides assistance for homeless people and those experiencing housing-related issues. We also aim to address the root causes of homelessness in our area. Note: we were formerly known as High Peak Nightstop.

What area do you cover?

We are based in Buxton and serve the wider High Peak and surrounding area.

What do you Offer?

We assess the individual needs of everybody referred.  There might be a simple solution, e.g. providing transport to a friend's home.  Where appropriate, we signpost to statutory provision.

The core service offered by HPHH is emergency overnight accommodation for homeless people.  

If possible, we place people in the homes of our volunteer hosts. Hosts are fully trained and DBS checked. We can often offer placements on the day of referral. Hosts provide an evening meal, bath or shower, a bed for the night, an opportunity to wash clothes, and breakfast the following morning. The service-user will be provided with an individual room. A placement is usually for one night only. We will consider referrals for the following night. The accommodation offered is not suitable for a stay of more than two or three nights.

Other options include the loan-a-tent scheme and our harsh-weather provision.

Who can refer?

HPHH accepts referrals from agencies who work with young people, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, Schools, Churches and local voluntary groups. A condition of referral is that there is a plan in place for continued support for the service user the following morning. Referrals are taken over the phone. There will be a short Risk Assessment so the referrer must be with the service user to do this. Generally we are unable to take referrals directly from individuals but are happy to give advice over the phone about the best agency to go to which can make the referral on their behalf. In exceptional circumstances self-referrals will be accepted but references will need to be undertaken before a placement can be made.

How much does it Cost?

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters there is currently no charge to agencies or service users of this service. However, since we rely on donations and grants to maintain the service we hope you will consider supporting us. Find out more at our Want to Help? page.

Who can you accommodate?

Accommodation is provided by volunteer hosts in their own homes so we have to be careful about whom we accept. For example, our service would not be appropriate for someone with: a recent history of violence, or an uncontrolled drug or alcohol problem, or a history of theft. HPHH is able to provide a safe place for most vulnerable, single, homeless people between the ages of 16 and 35. We are currently able to accommodate couples and parents with children in some circumstances.

Can you provide emergency food?

If you need help with food please contact High Peak Foodbank

I have another question, not covered here

If you are unsure about anything relating to our service; If you want someone to come and talk to your group about the work of High Peak Homelss Help, or you have any other queries, please contact our project coordintor Catherine Sterndale on 07973 670595